A two-story building with maroon trim and multiple windows stands next to a large structure covered in white plastic sheeting, with cars parked along the street.
SSan Francisco

Lead paint work meant for summer break stretched into the school year at SF elementary

  • August 23, 2026

Published Aug. 21, 2026at8:00pm

San Francisco public school parents are threatening to keep their kids home for the foreseeable future for fear of lead exposure at Chinese Immersion School at De Avila in the Haight. 

The school announced in May that lead paint removal would occur during summer break, with plans to wrap it up by the time class came back in session Monday.

Yet parents said they were surprised to find much of the school still covered in a white plastic tarp meant to protect the school yard from the lead removal work.

“There was no communication,” said a parent who asked not to be identified.